Obama nominates controversial Chuck Hagel as new CIA chief

Washington, DC, United States (4E) – United States President Barack Obama Monday nominated former Republican senator Chuck Hagel and John Brennan to head Pentagon and the intelligence agency CIA respectively.

Although fellow Republicans criticize Hagel for his controversial remarks on Israel and Iran and for his open criticism to former president George W Bush for handling of the Iraq war, it is expected that the two nominees will win the Senate’s approval ultimately.

Current Pentagon chief Leon Panetta has retired this month. Paying tribute to Panetta, Obama urged senators not to delay the appointments. “Chuck Hagel is the leader that our troops deserve. He is an American patriot,” the president said recalling the day when he fought Vietnam war as a soldier.

“When Chuck was hit by shrapnel, his brother saved him. When his brother was injured by a mine, Chuck risked his life to pull him to safety. To this day, Chuck bears the scars — and the shrapnel — from the battles he fought in our name,” Obama said.

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